Friday, December 31, 2010

Foreign Policy, a magazine devoted to global politics and economy, takes a look at the biggest hotspots to watch in 2011 for military action. There are a few obvious selections on the list: Iraq, Venezuela, Congo, etc.

For those interested in monitoring military communications, look over this list and put your frequency list on stand-by.

Due to previous year's feedback and continuing with a W2LIE.net tradition- "Listen to the Ball Drop - From Behind the scenes" returns for another year, and will continue to do so each and every year!

That's right - Listen to Dick Clark's Rock'in New Years from the Director's Chair.

True, you won't be hearing it "as it happens" due to streaming delays - but the sync should be close enough with Satellite delays for you to enjoy hearing the action while watching the live event! The feed will start mid-day, and run well past midnight.

There was plenty of action on the feed after the sun went down. Camera crews and the director were hunting for "filler shots" to record and use during the live broadcast of the night's events.

This is not a "Public Safety" type of feed. Feedback is always welcome. Catch the feed on my "special" stream.

Each squadron has reserved call signs in their block corresponding to the wing command structure and call signs. For Example “KY CAP 4” is the Wing Director of Communications. In the Fulton County Composite “KY CAP 1704” is assigned to the Squadron Communications Officer. The callsigns 0, 100, 200, 300, etc are assigned to the Wing and Squadron respectively for use with assigned equipment.

If you follow the CAP HF ALE side of things the ALE address 0148KYCAP is located in Lexington, Kentucky.

NEW YORK - As revelers head for Times Square to welcome 2011, members of the New York National Guard will be on duty to ensure that the holiday is safe and secure.

"New Yorkers can celebrate the New Year with confidence knowing our National Guard remains on duty this holiday weekend to assist our partners in law enforcement and emergency management," said Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, New York's Adjutant General.

"Operating at the direction of the governor, that partnership with law enforcement and emergency management in New York City continues to ensure that New York State Military Forces will be ready as New York welcomes thousands of visitors for a safe and secure holiday celebration."

In New York City, the members of the New York National Guard's Joint Task Force Empire Shield will be assisting the New York Police Department in conducting security operations designed to thwart any potential terrorist. These members of the New York Army and Air National Guard have been trained to assist law enforcement and other emergency management agencies in the metropolitan area.

Members of the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard, state-only defense forces, also serve in Joint Task Force Empire Shield.

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the New York National's Guard's task force in New York City has been an integral part of security planning.

"Our partnership with the New York City Office of Emergency Management brings great benefits to first responders and our National Guard," said Col. David Martinez, chief of domestic operations for the New York National Guard. "New Yorkers expect to see their National Guard out during critical times, and we're proud to serve."

The New York National Guard's 24th Civil Support Team, a unit of 22 soldiers and airmen trained to detect and identify hazardous materials, as well as the presence of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons, will also be standing by on New Year's Eve in case they are needed to support the New York Police Department or Fire Department.

Based at Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, the team's soldiers were recently certified as ready by the Department of Defense. In the past the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team would send soldiers and airmen to New York City on New Year's Eve from their headquarters at Stratton Air National Guard Base outside Schenectady. New York now has two of these highly trained units, with one focused solely on the New York City metropolitan area.

"As we have recently been certified to respond to natural or man- made emergencies we look forward to be able to support local authorities during this year' s New Year's Celebration in Times Square, " said Lt. Col. Kaarlo Hietala, the commander of the 24th Civil Support Team.

The New York National Guard will also have its Joint Operations Center near Albany manned with enough soldiers and leaders so that in the event of an emergency the Guard can respond quickly if directed to do so by the governor.

Finally in Rome, NY, the New York Air National Guard's Eastern Air Defense Sector will be monitoring the skies above New York City and the northeast while New Year's celebrations are underway.

Known as EADS, the unit of active-duty New York Air National Guardsmen and Canadian Forces personnel are responsible for monitoring the airspace of the United States east of the Mississippi. The unit is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and can direct assets as needed to defend U.S. airspace.

"The Eastern Air Defense Sector's air sovereignty and air defense mission is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week responsibility," said Col. John Bartholf, EADS Commander. "Our unit was designed and organized to operate all day, every day, and we'll have a fully-manned shift working New Year's Eve, just as we do every night."

08912.0 2140Z After ALE handshake, 719 (HC-130 # 1719, CGAS Clearwater FL) w/Miami Air Ops (not heard). 719 reports they have completed seqrch of the area in the Florida Straits and will be RTB in 15 mins. At 2245Z 719 advises CamsLant theat they are on final for homeplate and secures radio guard.

08983.0 1554Z CamsLant w/CG 2129 who reports they are airborne again from CGAS Cape Cod and are located at 4351N/6913W on course of 207 degrees at speed of 280 kts.

08983.0 1921Z CamsLant w/unid acft (call missed) who reports "ops normal" at position 2731N/7945W. NOTE: CamsLant's xmitter has been very distorted/overmodulated all day making him very difficult to read.

11232.0 1658Z Trenton Military w/Atlas 323 (CC-130E # 130323, 436th Sqdn CFB Trenton Ontario) who reports they are enroute to Thunder Bay for some SAR training. Trenton advises that there is no traffic from Trenton RCC and that they have permission to drop the SAR jumpers during training at Thunder Bay. At 2055Z Atlas 323 asks Trenton Military to relay to Winnepeg Duty Ops that they will be landing in 30 mins.

LaMoure, ND -- Ed Krell operates FEMA's Incident Response Vehicle (IRV) set up at the base of Lake LaMoure sillway to provide live streaming video to local and state emergency operations center for planning and documentation purposes. Photo: Michael Rieger/FEMA.

Ran PC-ALE on the various known FEMA net frequencies. Found a new 15 MHz FNARS net ALE freq, and a new FEMA sponsored HF ALE net that I have discovered, usage yet to be determined (see the HIJ listings). My good friend and colleague Hugh Stegman on twitter (Twitter feed at UtilityWorld)posted up a couple of additional freqs yesterday. My best guess is that HIJ may be WGY 912 at Mt Weather in Virginia.

This new FEMA sponsored net uses the following frequencies:4610.0 4979.0 5837.0 7870.0 10424.0 11448.0 12109.0 13437.0 16011.0 18475.0 20361.0 23390.0 kHz. More monitoring research is needed to determine the usage of this net.

Here are the ALE addresses and frequencies spotted up until 0530 EST (1030 UTC) this morning. Conditions yesterday were the pits thanks to the prop gods.

11175.0 1614Z Andrews w/Wylie 21 (KC-135, 117Th ARS 190th ARW KS ANG Topeka KS) who requests any current traffic. Andrews replies there is no current traffic and passes last trafffic of 43FVHJ and Wylie 21 QSL's.

11175.0 2149 Andrews w/EAM 43KX6G

11232.0 1630Z Canforce 4238 (CC-130J #130602/8 WG, 436 SQN, CFB Trenton, Ontario) w/Trenton Military advising he is in Sector 3. Canforce 4238 reports "ops normal" and requests any traffic. Trenton patches them into unid control (prob 8 Wing who advises that there appears to be a problem with their flt plan to Lajes (LPLA). Canforce 4238 advises they already have occeanic clearance to Lajes so they are proceeding. Then asks Trenton for wx at CFB Halifax and CFB Greenwood. Also requests wx for Lajes, Santa Maria (Azores), & San Miguel (Azores).

USS DOYLE, At Sea (NNS) -- A U.S. Coast Guard boarding team and Navy crew members operating from the USS Doyle (FFG 39) discovered more than 600 kilos of cocaine during counter-illicit trafficking (CIT) operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet (C4F) Area of Responsibility Dec. 6.

Doyle intercepted the 60-foot long fishing vessel Rio Tuira in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean approximately 180 miles off the coast of Panama. A Navy-Coast Guard boarding team recovered 22 bales of cocaine, weighing approximately 499 kilos (1,100 pounds) worth an estimated $15.4 million wholesale value.

The drugs were seized by a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment from Tactical Law Enforcement Team South. Five suspected smugglers were taken into custody. Criminal prosecution of this case will be shared between the United States and Panama.

Doyle is currently deployed under operational control to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO)/C4F, conducting CIT operations in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and U.S. Coast Guard District 11.

COMUSNAVSO is the naval component commander for USSOUTHCOM and is responsible for all naval personnel and assets in the Area of Responsibility. COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the U.S. Maritime Strategy, including theater security cooperation, partnership building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations and CIT operations. U.S. law enforcement in the Eastern Pacific drug transit zone are conducted under the authority of U.S. Coast Guard District 11 headquartered in Alameda, Calif.

Monday, December 27, 2010

About 100 soldiers from the Virginia National Guard's 116th Brigade Combat Team were called to state active duty Dec. 25, 2010, in Norfolk, Va., in response to a severe snowstorm that dropped a record amount of snow on the Hampton Roads area. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class A.J. Coyne

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Orrell, National Guard Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27, 2010 - As of 8 a.m. today, 430 National Guard members had been activated in response to an East Coast winter storm that left as much as 2 feet of snow in some areas and prompted six governors to activate their National Guard.

Guard members from Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia are providing equipment and manpower support to civilian authorities conducting emergency operations throughout their respective states.

"The key to rapid response for this event is having personnel in place and ready to respond," Army Col. Gerald Catrett, joint operations officer for the Virginia Guard, said. "We are staging personnel, vehicles and equipment ... to support missions such as transportation through heavy snow."

Massachusetts Guard members are assisting local police to evacuate some homes affected by coastal flooding caused by the storms.

Maryland Guard members are calling on the lessons they learned during the "snowpocalypse" earlier in 2010.

"During the blizzards of earlier 2010, we helped deliver babies and rescue motorists on the highway," Army Maj. Gen. James Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland, said. "Who knows what the next call may be."

Virginia Guard members are assisting Virginia State Police and local emergency response organizations in the Eastern Shore by conducting Humvee-mounted route patrols to assess road conditions and assist stranded motorists.

At about 4:45 a.m. today, they transported one adult and two children stranded on a side street and also were scheduled to transport emergency services personnel to work at a local hospital.

At about 6:30 a.m. they also rescued three people trapped in their car for more than four hours and transported them to a local shelter for further assistance.

WASHINGTON - Servicemembers stationed from Antarctica to Afghanistan lent their talents and time to craft a video for a poem titled "'Twas a Night in December," based on Clement Clarke Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas," but rewritten with a military twist.

More than 40 commands around the world, representing every branch of the military service, participated.

Along with the military people who contributed to this creative effort, country music star Toby Keith introduced the video, reinforcing his long-term support for military and their families stationed around the world.

Some of the servicemembers involved in this holiday greeting were located in the most remote regions in the world. For example, Air Force Capt. Graydon Muller of 6th Special Operations Squadron and Air Force Capt. Rob Marshall of the 8th Special Operations Squadron departed Nov. 24 to climb Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antarctica. Muller and Massif took time away from their climb to speak a few lines for the video.

Other servicemembers from Afghanistan, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Pakistan and throughout the United States participated in making the video. In fact, people on six out of the world's seven continents took part. The video was produced by Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.

'Twas a Night in December

'Twas a night in December and all over the world,At bases and stations where our flag flies unfurled,The Holiday season had long since commenced,And spread its spirit of cheer through the Department of Defense.

Combat boots sat at ease by the fence line with care,In hopes that a return date soon would be there.

At home, loved ones slept sound in their beds,With visions of troops coming home in their heads.As Moms perform night patrols, and Dads conduct checks,A long winter's nap is the last thing they expect.When out on the tarmac arose such a clatter,Soldiers and sailors sprang up to see what was the matter.

Away to the deck, they hustled, they dashed,Some ran through a passageway, one opened a hatch.

In Antarctica, moonlight shimmered on the snow,A sliver of light shown on the objects below.And what to our wondering eyes should appear,But letters and packages bundled with care.Yet it wasn't just there that we saw these things land,We received them as well, here in Afghanistan!They were packaged so well that they could withstand,The harsh desert winds full of Iraqi sand.Onto Nicaragua with volcanoes and lakes,Padded so carefully that nothing would breakAddressed from our family and friends we hold dear,With Holiday greetings and a "Wish You Were Here!"We lined up and claimed them, with smiles ear-to-ear,Every person overcome with Holiday cheer.

Your support and your thoughts are the best possible gift,We send you our thanks for giving our spirits such a lift.Thanks from the National GuardThanks from the Army,Thanks from the Navy,Thanks from the Marines,Thanks from the Air Force,Thanks from the Coast Guard,We want you to know how much this gift means.In our eyes you're super, and we mean A-OK.

We will do our duty and keep defending our freedom,And wish you and yours the very best this Holiday season!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- On Christmas Eve, members of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center will track Santa on part of his journey to deliver toys to children around the world.

In conjunction with the North American Aerospace Defense Command's 'NORAD Track Santa' program, AOC volunteers will monitor jolly ol' Saint Nick as he makes stops across the globe.

"This Christmas Eve will mark the 55th consecutive year that the men and women of NORAD have tracked Santa," said Col. Randy Spear, 601st AOC commander. "Tracking Santa is part of our history, and (we're) proud to continue this tradition in 2010."

The tradition of tracking Santa started in 1955, when a call was made on Christmas Eve to the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., from a little girl asking to speak to Santa Claus.

A local newspaper published an advertisement inviting children to call Santa Claus but accidently printed the wrong number. Instead of getting Santa, the little girl spoke to Col. Harry Shoup, the senior officer on duty at the command center. Colonel Shoup received numerous calls that night, but rather than hanging up, he instructed all of his operators to find the location of Santa Claus and report it to every child who phoned in that night. Though Colonel Shoup died in March 2009 at the age of 91, his tradition of tracking Santa lives on.

When CONAD became NORAD in 1958, the tradition of tracking Santa transferred to the new command. NORAD is the bi-national military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada.

"My family and I have volunteered and worked three years on the 'NORAD Tracks Santa' call-in line," said Maj. Jeff Pozen, 601st AOC judge advocate officer. "It was a great experience for us and it's awesome to be part of such a rewarding program."

Each year nearly 1,200 volunteers selflessly give their time to the NORAD Tracks Santa program by taking hundreds of thousands phone calls and email from families around the world. Santa trackers at the toll-free NORAD Tracks Santa hotline, 1-877-HI-NORAD, will begin answering phone calls and responding to email at 2 a.m. MST Dec. 24 and will continue until 3 a.m. MST Dec. 25.

"Along with the many volunteers at NORAD answering phone calls and email, we also have four high-tech systems to monitor Santa on his journey around the world Christmas Eve," Colonel Spear said. "As Santa enters continental U.S. airspace, he will be escorted by F-15 (Eagles) or F-16 (Fighting Falcons). During the rest of his journey we will track Santa through radar, satellites and Santa Cams."

As Santa departs the North Pole on Christmas Eve, NORAD operators monitor a radar system consisting of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America that indicates his position. Once Santa is on radar, satellites with infrared sensors are used to detect Rudolph's glowing nose.

The last tracking system used by NORAD to track Santa is the Santa Cam network. High-speed digital cameras are placed throughout the world to capture images of Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. NORAD operators only use these cameras once a year.

Join the NORAD volunteers this holiday season as they track Santa around the world on Christmas Eve at the NORAD Tracks Santa website, http://www.noradsanta.org.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website features holiday games and activities that change daily and is available in seven languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese. On Christmas Eve, the website will stream videos captured by NORAD "Santa Cams," and will have up-to-the-minute updates of Santa's location on Google Maps and Google Earth.

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles fast-attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) returned home to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Dec. 22, from a regularly scheduled six-month deployment, just in time for the holidays.

A crowd of family and friends braved the chilly December air to greet their loved ones, who deployed from Norfolk June 22.

During its deployment, USS Boise conducted operations in the European Command area of responsibility while supporting national security interests and maritime security operations. In executing the chief of naval operation's maritime strategy, Boise further demonstrated the submarine force's great capability in providing global presence.

"We were attached to the European Command, which is supported by the Navy's 6th Fleet," said Cmdr. Brian Sittlow, USS Boise commanding officer. "We were assigned exercises and operations by 6th Fleet. These events were conducted with our NATO partner nations in the waters of the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea."

Upon returning to its homeport in Norfolk, the submarine will have traveled approximately 23,000 nautical miles. Port visits included Portsmouth, England; Faslane, Scotland; Bergen, Norway; and Brest, France.

"The Boise crew performed terrifically," said Sittlow. "They not only demonstrated safe and expert submarine skills on a daily basis at sea, but they also provided goodwill as terrific ambassadors for the U.S. Navy while enjoying liberty during our port calls throughout Europe. Upon our return home, the crew will be afforded some well-deserved time off to reunite with their friends and families, especially during the joyous holiday season."

Fast-attack submarines like Boise have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.

Nicknamed "A One Ship Fleet," Boise is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name of Idaho's capital city. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, Boise was commissioned, Nov. 7, 1992. The 360-foot ship has a crew compliment of 13 officers and 121 enlisted Sailors.

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) -- The combination of adrenaline and excitement can be hard to hide in a person's expressions, but Lt. Col. Brian A. Hill wears it on his face like war paint. He runs on it.

Several hours elapsed since he and the rest of the aircrew for the 96th Air Refueling Squadron's first operational mission arrived for the sortie fresh, eager and focused on what would ensue. He made no effort to hide the accomplished grin he'd worn all night long as he opened a bottle of champagne and served it to anyone willing to share in the celebration in the little room inside Hangar 13 here.

As Colonel Hill poured the last glass of champagne, each person in the room began to recount the mission's highlights.

"My landing was a little off center," said Capt. Jasmine M. McCann, one of the 96th ARS pilots for the mission.

"The air refueling seemed like it lasted a long time," said Col. Jeff W. Morgan, the 15th Operations Group commander here, sporting a smile similar to Colonel Hill's. Even Colonel Morgan made the effort to stretch his schedule to 3:30 a.m. to be a part of the mission.

The silent moments between each person's feedback, however, indicated a collective agreement that the mission was a huge success.

In response to the need to support in-flight refueling for planes traveling to, from, and through the Pacific theater, the 96th ARS, and its fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, was reactivated in July. Since then, the squadron has flown more than 60 training missions to familiarize future aircrews with the region and fulfill training requirements. All of these efforts led up to the squadron's inclusion in the 15th Wing's arsenal here Dec. 14.

Throughout the 96th ARS's 69-year history, the unit has been located in Hawaii twice, and once in each Japan, Oklahoma, and Washington state. In 2005, the squadron deactivated at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. In July, the squadron reactivated here as part of a total force integration partnership with two existing Hawaii Air National Guard units: the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron and the 154th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

The unit's relocation here makes sense to Colonel Hill, in light of the base's location in the Pacific theater.

"With all this water and all the distance we have between terra firma, the tanker provides the global reach and mobility needed to operate around the (Pacific) theater," Colonel Hill said. "No aircraft anywhere can get very far without fuel. Nobody kicks (derriere) without tanker gas ... nobody," he said quoting a universal slogan used by many air refuelers in reference to the services they provide.

This old tanker slogan complements another one bestowed on current 96th ARS "tankers" by former members of the unit.

"Back in the day, air refuelers were known as 'tanker toads,'" Colonel Hill said. "The tanker's job back then was to provide every ounce of fuel it could to the bomber going downrange. If the tanker gave away so much gas that it couldn't land on a runway, so be it. The tanker would be sacrificed. The toad came into play as an acronym for 'take off and die.'

"Who in their right mind would take off and give all their gas away in mid-air?" he asked. "Fortunately we carry enough gas now that we don't have to worry about it."

When the KC-135 operated by the 96th ARS crew took off here, it contained 185,000 pounds of fuel. While over the Pacific Ocean, 110,000 pounds of fuel were transferred in a span of 34 minutes to a B-52 Stratofortress on the tail end of an 18-hour flight to Guam. Between the fuel lost during transfer and the fuel burned by the KC-135 itself, only 18,500 pounds remained when the crew returned.

As part of the 96th ARS partnership with the 203rd ARS, each sortie is conducted with a "total-force-integration" mentality, or what Colonel Hill would call a "total-family integration."

Aircrew members from each squadron routinely integrate to form aircrews to perform air refueling missions throughout the Pacific. For this reason, Colonel Hill found it fitting that the 96th ARS's first operational mission was conducted by an aircrew consisting of both active-duty and Air National Guard members.

"It's a total family commitment where we are all in together to make this thing work," Colonel Hill said. "It's only appropriate that when we fly our first mission, we do it as a total family, with both squadrons involved."

Master Sgt. Eric K. Faurot, with the 203rd ARS, was the boom operator for the mission. He's worked in an integrated environment with active-duty Airmen for more than seven years. He said he believes the total-force integration involved in the 96th ARS's first mission is a product of the ever-improving efficiency evidenced by active-duty and Air National Guard Airmen working side by side.

"We're never going to turn down a mission," Sergeant Faurot said. "Bodies will never be an excuse. We'll always be able to find personnel to jump on a sortie and do whatever it takes to make a mission 100 percent successful."

The squadron's first operational mission here marks another milestone in its 69-year history of air refueling. Colonel Hill said he expects current members of the 96th ARS to stamp their place in the unit's history by passing fuel within the Pacific Theater for a long time to come.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Our good friend Paul Marsh (Twitter address: UHF_satcom) has a working theory that the 278 MHz satellite downlinks we are hearing may be from a new Russian military satellite program - the Meridian milsats. The first two launches were apparent failures per http://www.russianspaceweb.com/meridian.html.

On November 2, 2010 the Space Forces carried out a successful launch of a Soyuz-2.1a launcher with a Fregat post-boost stage. The rocket was launched at 03:58:39 MSK (00:58:39 UTC) from the launch pad No. 3 of the launch complex No. 43 of the Plesetsk space launch site. According to a Space Forces representative, the spacecraft - a communication satellite of the Meridian type -successfully reached its orbit at 06:13 MSK.

The satellite was identified by the Space Forces by its generic name, Meridian. Its international designation is 2010-058A, NORAD number 37212. According to the satellite manufacturer, the Reshetnev Design Bureau, the satellite successfully reached its operational orbit. Parameters of the orbit: inclination 62.8 degrees, perigee 966 km, apogee about 39800 km, orbital period about 726 minutes.

This is the third Meridian launch. The fist one took place in December 2006, the second - in May 2009.

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 204 wrapped up a mission with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group during the group's composite training unit exercise off the coast of California Dec. 20.

The "River Rattlers" of VFA 204 have had many deployments in 2010 lending their assistance to the fleet.

VFA 204 is an adversary squadron that flies the FA-18/A Hornet aircraft. The entire squadron, from the pilots to the mechanics who provide maintenance for the planes, are full time support (FTS) and selected Reserve (SELRES) Sailors. Their primary mission is to act as the enemy in the sky so other squadrons and strike groups can receive the requisite training to be combat-ready. With air combat training a constant necessity and with numerous squadrons to be trained, the New Orleans-based "River Rattlers" keep busy. They deploy numerous times a year to support the active component in training evolutions all around the world.

"We deploy roughly every other month, to support about six to eight detachments a year. We're mission ready. Our Sailors are ready to deploy and provide training to fleet squadrons," said VFA 204 Executive Officer Cmdr. Greg Rielly.

The deployment schedule provides the 40 SELRES in the squadron plenty of opportunity to get annual training and active duty training (ADT). This ensures the "River Rattlers" are highly skilled, regardless of whether they are full or part-time Sailors.

"The integration between our FTS and SELRES is seamless," said VFA 204 Command Master Chief (AW) John Harlin. "That's the way it should be. Our Reservists bring a lot to the table. For example, we have a (SELRES) chief who works as a defense contractor in his civilian job. He's able to bring that experience to his Reserve position making us a stronger squadron."

Many of the SELRES in VFA 204 go above and beyond the required training to support the River Rattler's mission. Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class (AW) Emily Seal from Gulfport, Miss., is one of them.

"Last year, I went on three deployments with the squadron," said Seal. "I was almost on constant ADT orders. I feel really strongly about committing myself to the mission and being with this command helps with advancement. The learning curve is fast, and there's so much to do, it's impossible not to learn."

The Navy Reserve prides itself on being "Ready Now. Anytime, Anywhere." With the "River Rattlers," this not only applies to them – it applies to the fleet they continue to serve in their adversary role. With assistance from VFA 204, Naval Air Forces will continue to receive necessary training, preparing them for any assigned mission.

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) will return to San Diego Dec. 22 after an independent six-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

"I couldn't be any more pleased with the performance of the crew during the deployment, from bi-lateral exercises with key allies to counter-piracy missions off the coast of Somalia; they have done a tremendous job in getting the mission done," said Princeton's Commanding Officer Capt. Richard Haidvogel. "We're all very happy to be getting home in time for the holidays."

Princeton patrolled areas where the threat of piracy is a growing problem for merchant vessels. The cruiser's visit, board, search and seizure team conducted assist visits aboard several vessels in order to better enforce maritime security, deter piracy and police smuggling in areas where piracy is reported.

In September 2010, Princeton assisted USS Dubuque (LPD 8) with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Turkish warship TCG Gikeada (FFG 494) in capturing nine suspected pirates, who had taken control of the merchant vessel Magellan Star. Princeton took custody of the pirates and later transferred them to Kenya authorities.

Princeton also participated in combat casualty medical training with members of U.S. Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement, Detachment 404 as part of maintaining their medical readiness and proficiency while deployed.

With a crew of approximately 350 Sailors, including a crew from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 45, Detachment 2, Princeton made port calls to Singapore, Bahrain, Seychelles, Kenya, Thailand, Philippines and Guam. Sailors participated in community relations projects including painting school buildings, volunteering at hospitals and playing sports with children. They conducted more than 300 hours of volunteer service benefiting nearly 1500 host nation citizens.

Princeton helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50-million square mile AOR in the Eastern Pacific, as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

"This has been a great deployment because of the hard work and professionalism of our Sailors and Marines over the last seven months," said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, commander, Harry S. Truman CSG. "Whether conducting combat flight operations in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces in Afghanistan, preventing piracy on the open seas, or interacting with the local community during well-deserved port visits, the strike group represented themselves and their country with the greatest pride and professionalism."

Shortly after departing Norfolk May 21, the Truman CSG participated in the 100th anniversary of French naval aviation celebration. French aircraft landed and catapulted off Truman, while F/A-18s and E-2s from CVW 3 touched down on the French nuclear aircraft carrier CVN Charles de Gaulle (R 91). French maintenance crews embarked aboard Truman to conduct a practice engine change on a French Rafale F3 in Truman's hangar bay.

The Truman CSG joined the 5th Fleet Area of Operations in June 2010 and began combat operations in support of OEF and OND. During the next five months, CVW 3 aircrews flew 2,915 missions into Afghanistan and Iraq, providing vital close air support to coalition forces on the ground.

"Our success in support of OEF and OND is a glowing testament to world-class training, the high caliber of men and women who volunteer to serve and the manner in which they came together to perform as a mission-focused team," said Capt. Jay Bynum, commander, CVW 3. "We are so thankful and blessed to be returning home with all our Sailors, Marines and aircraft and to be reunited with our families to enjoy the holiday season."

While operating in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, several Truman CSG ships rescued mariners adrift at sea. The visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams from Winston S. Churchill rescued 62 distressed mariners after their dhow capsized in the Gulf of Aden Sept. 27, while the VBSS team from Oscar Austin provided assistance to two Iranian mariners after their dhow sank Nov. 18.

"Whether conducting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, operating with the Harry S. Truman in the Northern Arabian Sea, or conducting escort operations and other duties in the Arabian Gulf, the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 were essential in maintaining peace and stability throughout the 5th Fleet AOR," said Capt. Bob Barwis, commander, DESRON 26.

Returning a few days before Christmas, the leadership aboard Truman is both proud and thankful to have safely achieved so much while deployed for 213 days and traveling nearly 55,000 nautical miles.

"It is truly wonderful to return to our homeport and reunite with our families and loved ones after seven months at sea," said Capt. Joe Clarkson, Harry S. Truman's commanding officer. "With the invaluable support of family and friends throughout this deployment, we accomplished the mission we were sent to do, and it is good to be home to celebrate the holidays with our families."